Coconut Inn

The Coconut Inn makes a charming first impression with its curved pastel archways and terra-cotta-roofed buildings. Unfortunately, its interior fails to live up to the standards set by the cheerful, inviting exterior. The property has been open since 1974, and it appears that the guest room decor hasn’t been updated much since then. Guests, most of whom are budget travelers, generally stick around in the morning to take advantage of the hotel’s free breakfast before heading to the beach. The pool is nice enough, but the property is virtually deserted during the afternoon with guests returning to the hotel only to sleep.

The Coconut Inn is set in a residential area of Noord, Aruba. A number of supermarkets, restaurants, banks, and shops can be found within a five-minute walk away along Route 3. With few proper attractions within walking distance, however, the hotel is best suited to guests with their own transportation or those who don’t mind relying on the bus system. Palm Beach and Paseo Herencia Shopping Mall can be reached in under five minutes by car, and Eagle Beach is a 10-minute drive away. The hotel is a 15- to 20-minute drive from Oranjestad and Queen Beatrix International Airport. 

Guest rooms at the Coconut Inn are past their prime, decorated with dated bedspreads and plain tiled flooring. Dark-wood furniture and flat-screen TVs look slightly more modern, but the decor is still drab overall. Closets are large, and many have both shelves and racks with hangers. All rooms include private terraces, most of which are furnished with lounge chairs. Units also offer kitchenettes with microwaves, hotplates, and cutlery. Most are outfitted with coffeemakers and toasters as well. Many terraces face toward the hotel’s pool and sundeck. One-Bedroom Apartments feature separate living spaces with full-size fridges, larger kitchenettes, and small sitting areas. Bathrooms are utilitarian, offering old-fashioned fixtures, basic showers, and off-brand bars of soap. 

As a simple beachy property, the Coconut Inn has a handful of features that cover the basics. A free buffet breakfast of cereal, toast, coffee, and a few hot items is served in the hotel’s small restaurant. The uninspiring restaurant is dominated by a clunky unused bar, with seating offered at simple wooden tables and chairs. The restaurant overlooks the hotel’s pleasant pool and sundeck area. The rectangular pool is surrounded by a concrete deck furnished with plastic lounge chairs and a picnic table. A few large palapas provide much-needed shade. There's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and a PC is located in the lobby for guest use. The hotel also offers guest laundry facilities and free self-parking.